Metro-East – Disclosure News Onlinehttps://www.disclosurenewsonline.com
If You Aren't Outraged By Now, You Haven't Been Paying AttentionSun, 15 Sep 2019 03:12:31 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.1Woman from O’Fallon comes all the way to Carmi to get lit – allegedly, of coursehttps://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/2019/09/09/woman-from-ofallon-comes-all-the-way-to-carmi-to-get-lit-allegedly-of-course/
https://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/2019/09/09/woman-from-ofallon-comes-all-the-way-to-carmi-to-get-lit-allegedly-of-course/#respondTue, 10 Sep 2019 01:08:23 +0000https://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/?p=111888

CARMI, Ill. – A woman reporting an address from the St. Clair County city of O’Fallon found a whole lot of trouble in the city of Carmi most of the way across the state from her home Friday, according to Carmi Police.

The report shows that Carmi PD officers were called late Friday, September 6, at about 10:13 p.m. regarding an intoxicated person walking around in the 300 block of Fifth Street.

The person, Anessa Dawn Barnett, 45 of O’Fallon, was located at 502 Elm Street and was subsequently arrested for Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass to Property and Resisting a Peace Officer.

There was no indication as to what on earth she had been doing, whether she had been at one of the city’s watering holes, at a party, or just took it upon herself to load up.

Whatever the case, she was taken to the White County Jail where she was later able to post bond and was released, so quickly that we didn’t even get a mugshot.

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – In response to severe storms and flooding that occurred on August 12 in Granite City, Governor JB Pritzker formally requested an extension from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the state to request a federal disaster declaration.

In his request, the Governor stated preliminary data suggests more than 700 homes are believed to have been impacted by this storm, and a thorough survey of this magnitude will take time. For this reason, the Governor requested a 30-day extension to submit the necessary documentation supporting a request for a federal disaster declaration.

The National Weather
Service indicates a slow-moving thunderstorm produced anywhere between
seven to nine inches of rainfall on the Granite City area on August 12.
Meteorologists confirm that given the already saturated
ground conditions, there was nowhere for the heavy rain to go but into
local creeks, streams and low-lying areas.

“Just as Madison
County was beginning to recover from a historic flood, severe flash
flooding delivered another setback to the residents and first responders
in this community,”
said Governor JB Pritzker. “This administration remains steadfast
in its commitment to working with our state and federal partners to
ensure all of our communities have the resources they need to recover.”

Next week, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will dispatch a team to assist Granite City emergency management officials as they continue their initial damage assessment. Once that initial damage assessment is complete, the data will be submitted to the IEMA to determine the next course of action.

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ILLINOIS – With the state’s disaster assessment concluded, Governor JB Pritzker has officially requested a federal disaster declaration be issued for Illinois due to the devastating floods that plagued our state since February 2019. In his request, Governor Pritzker requested Individual Assistance (IA) for 22 counties and Public Assistance (PA) for 32 counties. If approved, a federal disaster declaration would help local governments, residents and businesses affected by this historic flood recover from the disaster by allowing them to apply for grants and loans to assist with storm-related expenses and losses.

“For more than 150
consecutive days, historic and unprecedented spring floods and severe
storms plagued communities across our state, and first responders did an
incredible job protecting life and property,”
said Governor JB Pritzker. “However, seven families experienced
the ultimate tragedy when their loved ones perished due to this natural
disaster. This flood tore children from their homes, severely restricted
key transportation lifelines and decimated
local economies – and it may take years for some communities to fully
recover. I respectfully request the full resources of the federal
government be brought to bear in response to this emergency. Our
communities deserve every opportunity to rebuild, and be
even stronger and more resilient than before.”

To support this
request for a federal disaster declaration, documentation was included
from the recent joint damage assessment, conducted by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency (IEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and
affected communities. This assessment illustrated the devastating
effects of this flood event:

More than $69
million in direct losses, including over $8.2 million in losses for
individuals and $61 million in losses for units of state, county and
local governments. This does not include the millions in other
economic impacts, such as lost wages to individuals, lost revenue for
businesses, and lost tax revenues for impacted governments.

Over 1,000 miles
of roadway and bridges were damaged or left inaccessible, affecting
some of the most vulnerable populations. Many still are. This disruption
forced residents to travel up to two hours to receive
healthcare or basic necessities like groceries.

More than 1,400
homes and 2.1 million people were impacted by this flood event. Of that,
42 homes were destroyed, 178 sustained major damage, 419 were listed as
having minor damage and another 708 were impacted
by rising floodwaters.

An SBA Survey
Team identified 76 businesses and non-profits with major impacts from
this disaster and 217 with minor impacts, which directly impacts the
amount of tax revenue available for affected communities to
devote to recovery, making federal assistance all the more necessary.

Illinois has not
received a federal disaster declaration since 2013. The Stafford Act
outlines that the State of Illinois must meet or exceed $19 million in
damages in order to qualify for a federal disaster declaration.
While the ultimate decision on Illinois receiving federal funds lies
with Washington, the Pritzker administration will work tirelessly to
ensure our communities get all resources available to recover.

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EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A registered sex offender who took sexually explicit photographs of a four-year old girl in East St. Louis will spend the next three decades behind bars.

Andrew Wigfall, III, of East St. Louis, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison and a lifetime term of supervised release for producing child pornography. The 47-year old defendant pleaded guilty to the charge earlier this year.

Wigfall’s crime first came to light on Jan. 26, 2019, when numerous local law enforcement agencies received calls that his Facebook Messenger account was distributing child pornography. Among the illicit photographs were images of Wigfall with a nude four-year old girl.

The child’s grandmother saw the pictures and recognized they had been taken in her basement. She explained to police that Wigfall was a friend who often came over to her house to play dominoes with her husband when they were babysitting their grandchildren. She reported that neither she nor her husband had any idea the photographs had been taken, and they were unaware at the time that Wigfall was a registered sex offender.

When interviewed by police, Wigfall admitted taking explicit photographs of the girl with his cell phone just a few weeks earlier. He told investigators he had lost his phone on Jan. 25 and was not the person responsible for distributing the images over Facebook. Efforts by law enforcement to track and locate the phone were unsuccessful.

At the sentencing hearing, the victim’s grandmother expressed outrage on behalf of the family: “I never thought this would happen to us. I’m supposed to protect my children and grandchildren. But my trust was betrayed…. [Wigfall] wasn’t there to be my husband’s friend. He was there to seek out my granddaughter.” She added that her husband feels “like it’s all his fault” and that he constantly “apologizes to me that he let this man into our home.”

In handing down the sentence, Chief United States District Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel explained that a 30-year term was necessary to protect the public, specifically citing Wigfall’s history of sexual offending. Wigfall has a prior conviction in St. Clair County Circuit Court for aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the East St. Louis Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Reppert.

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – Illinois State Police officials continue to mourn the loss of ISP South SWAT trooper Nicholas Hopkins, as murder charges have been brought against the guy who allegedly fired the shot that claimed Hopkins’ life.

In multiple press releases, ISP has advised of the timeline of events, as well as has given a bit of background on the young trooper.

This past Friday (August 23, 2019), at approximately 5:26 a.m., Trooper Nicholas Hopkins, #6141 and other ISP Troopers were executing a search warrant at a residence in the 1400 block of North 42nd Street in East Saint Louis. There was an exchange of gunfire at the residence, and Trooper Hopkins was struck. Trooper Hopkins was transported to a local area hospital with life threatening injuries. At approximately 6:10 p.m., Trooper Hopkins succumbed to his injuries.

On Saturday, St. Clair County State’s Attorney Jim Gomric announced that Christopher R. Grant, 46 of East St. Louis and the subject of the warrant, had been charged with First Degree Murder and was being held on a five-million-dollar bail (half-million cash bond).

Trooper Nicholas J. “Nick” Hopkins #6141, 33, of Waterloo, Ill., died August 23, 2019, in St. Louis, Mo. Trooper Hopkins was 33 years old and a 10-year veteran of the Illinois State Police. Trooper Hopkins began his Illinois State Police career on June 1, 2009, as a cadet at the Illinois State Police Academy. After graduating from the Academy in Cadet Class 117, he was assigned to District 12 (Effingham).

On August 1, 2013, Nick took an assignment with ISP Zone 7 Investigations General Criminal Unit, and in November 2013 he was assigned to District 11 patrol in Collinsville. In February 2016, Nick transferred to Zone 6’s Metro East Police Assistance Team (MEPAT). In September 2017 he was assigned to ISP SWAT and on March 16, 2018, he became a Senior Agent with the ISP.

Throughout
his career with the ISP, Trooper Hopkins was recognized for his strong
work ethic, his willingness to help others, and his wonderful
sense of humor. The Hopkins family and the ISP would like to thank the
public for their support and condolences during this difficult time.

Trooper Nicholas Hopkins is survived by his wife Whitney Hopkins; children Evelyn and Owen (twins), and Emma; parents James Hopkins and Verna Hopkins; brothers and sisters Valerie Dortch, Zack Hopkins, Emily Auffenberg, Gabe Hopkins, and Abby Hopkins; grandmother Evelyn Hopkins; sister-in-law Erin Harris; father-in-law and mother-in-law James and Laural Harris; aunts; uncles; nieces; nephews; and cousins. He was a member of Life Community Church in Columbia, Ill.

Hopkins family photo provided by ISP

The family has released a statement through ISP:

“Words cannot convey the pain of the loss and the emptiness in our hearts. Words also fail to describe the lasting impact Nick had on the lives of everyone who knew him. Nick was a son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, friend, carpenter, and trooper, but the job he loved most was being a husband and father. Nick will live on through the memories we cherish and in how we emulate his passion for life: ‘You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.’ It brings us comfort to know Nick’s legacy will live on by the actions of others.

“To his comrades on the SWAT team, thank you for your heroism and allowing us to spend more time with him. We are incredibly grateful for the love, dedication, and loyalty you showed your fellow brother.

“To the Illinois State Police and the entire law enforcement community, we thank you for your dedication to protecting and serving in the face of unknown danger. We are overwhelmed with your generosity. We will never forget your commitment to building and preserving Nick’s legacy.

“To the medical staff at Saint Louis University Hospital, thank you for your tireless care and comfort in our darkest hour. Thank you for creating the space for us to say goodbye and enabling Nick to live on through his gift of life to others.

“To the city of Waterloo, his church family at Life Community Church of Columbia, and surrounding areas, thank you for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in honor of Nick.

“There are so many others we want to thank, including those names we never learned. Know that your kindness and support has not gone unnoticed, your actions are imprinted on our hearts forever.”

Governor JB Pritzker has released the following statement:

“Today the entire
state mourns the loss of ISP South SWAT Trooper Nicholas Hopkins, a
young man who dedicated 10 of his 33 years on this earth to protecting
the people of Illinois. It is the most courageous among us
who choose a life of risk so their communities can go about their lives
in peace. The state of Illinois stands with Trooper Hopkins’ family and
the entire Illinois State Police family as they grieve the loss of
another heroic officer.”

This morning, August 23, 2019, at approximately 5:26 a.m., Trooper Nicholas Hopkins, #6141 and other ISP Troopers were executing a search warrant at a residence in the 1400 block of North 42nd Street in East Saint Louis. There was an exchange of gunfire at the residence, and Trooper Hopkins was struck. Trooper Hopkins was transported to a local area hospital with life threatening injuries. At approximately 6:10 P.M., Trooper Hopkins succumbed to his injuries.

“It
is with profound heartache and unfathomable sadness that we inform you
of the death of Trooper Nicholas
Hopkins. Trooper Hopkins laid down his life while protecting the
citizens of this state. We are asking the public to respectfully give
consideration to the family of Trooper Hopkins and the ISP while we
continue to grieve and work through this tragedy,” stated
Acting Director Brendan Kelly.

Steven D. Weinhoeft, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, issued this statement following the death of Illinois State Trooper Nick Hopkins: “We were deeply saddened to learn that Trooper Nick Hopkins will not survive the senseless act of violence he suffered in the line of duty earlier this morning. The entire federal law enforcement community stands as one today to mourn his passing. Our hearts go out to his family and all those who are grieving his loss. We also condemn in the strongest possible terms the despicable, cowardly act that took his life

“Trooper Hopkins was a dedicated officer who served our community with honor, bravery, and fidelity. He leaves behind an enduring legacy that will live on in the lives he touched; in the work that the courageous men and women of the Illinois State Police continue to perform; and in a community that is safer because of his devoted service. His loss underscores the real dangers that are routinely faced by those who protect and serve us each and every day. Their work is truly heroic, and we are forever in their debt.”

Trooper Hopkins was 33 years old and a 10-year veteran of the Illinois State Police. Additional information will be released once it becomes available.

]]>https://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/2019/08/23/state-trooper-shot-in-collinsville-has-died/feed/0ISP TROOPER SHOT DURING EXECUTION OF WARRANThttps://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/2019/08/23/isp-trooper-shot-during-execution-of-warrant/
https://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/2019/08/23/isp-trooper-shot-during-execution-of-warrant/#respondFri, 23 Aug 2019 15:53:58 +0000https://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/?p=111515COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – Illinois State Police (ISP) officials announce an Illinois State Police Trooper has been shot during the execution of a search warrant in the 1400 block of North 42nd Street in East St. Louis in the early morning hours of Friday, August 23, 2019.

At 5:26 A.M., during the execution of the search warrant, there was an exchange of gunfire at the residence and the Trooper was struck.

The ISP Trooper received life-threatening injuries and has been transported to a regional hospital. The Trooper is 33 years old and is a 10-year veteran of the ISP.

This is an open and ongoing investigation with an active scene. Additional information will be available at a later time.

SWANSEA, Ill. – A St. Louis-area dentist has been charged with executing a wide-ranging health care fraud scheme over several years.

Dr. Yun Sup Kim, 48, of St. Louis, is under federal indictment for allegedly defrauding Illinois Medicaid out of hundreds of thousands of dollars from his dental office in Swansea, Illinois. The 20-page indictment charges Kim with 12 counts of health care fraud and one count of wire fraud in connection with his dental practice. According to the indictment, from September 2014 through the end of 2017, Kim repeatedly billed Illinois Medicaid for cavity fillings and surgical tooth extractions he never actually performed. The experiences of 10 former patients are outlined in the indictment, including several where Kim allegedly claimed to have filled cavities on more than half the patient’s teeth in one sitting. The indictment charges those claims were false and alleges that, in many instances, the teeth Kim claimed to have filled never had cavities to begin with. Kim is also accused of falsifying dates of service on numerous occasions to evade billing rules involving reimbursements for dental sealants.

On one particular occasion in 2016, the indictment alleges that Kim billed Illinois Medicaid for a dental exam, fluoride treatment, and tooth cleaning on a 10-month old girl who was not a patient and had only two teeth at the time. This incident is the subject of the wire fraud count, which alleges that the claims were fraudulent and the services never actually rendered.

Kim is due in federal court for his initial appearance on September 12 at 2:00 pm. A trial date has not been set. Each charge of health care fraud is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The wire fraud count carries a 20-year statutory maximum prison term. Supervised release on each count is capped at three years. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of over $700,000 in fraudulent proceeds of the charged scheme.

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MADISON CO., Ill. – A Madison County business owner has been indicted by a federal grand jury for tax evasion.

Gary Hunsche, 54, of Troy, has been charged with six counts of willfully failing to pay employment taxes and two counts of willfully failing to pay individual income taxes.

According to the indictment, Hunsche owned and operated two businesses in Troy – Unique Risk Management, Inc., and Unique Personal Consultants, Inc. – that supplied thousands of temporary employees to other businesses. The indictment alleges that between 2011 and 2016, Hunsche failed to pay the IRS over $15 million in federal incomes taxes, Social Security, and Medicare taxes, including $11 million in required withholdings from his employees’ paychecks.

Hunsche is further accused of taking millions of dollars for himself and using the money to make improvements to his home, including a new pond and a barn with a full-sized basketball court.

If convicted of failing to pay employment taxes, Hunsche faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the six counts. The remaining two counts of the indictment – failing to pay individual income tax – are misdemeanors that each carry up to a year in prison and a fine of not more than $100,000.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by IRS Criminal Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.

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We aren’t like all the other simpering media “covering” southern
Illinois…we say what everybody else is thinking, and we say it LOUD. So
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still have a Facebook page, feel free to share this on that page, too!
The more you share, the longer we can stay around…so get clicking! And
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hey…log in! Get yourself a Day Pass for only $2.99, or a Week Pass
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CAHOKIA, IL. (ECWd) – Records provided to ECWd by Brad VanHoose, who received them via a FOIA request, indicate the Illinois State Police and FBI investigated the Village of Cahokia elections board for alleged election interference, among other things in 2015.

The Illinois Appellate Prosecutor’s Office took two years to decline
to prosecute the allegations set forth in the Investigation.

In early 2015, according to the investigative reports, a complaint
was sent to the FBI and an interview was conduct at State Police
District 11 Headquarters on February 19, 2015. This meeting was in
regard to possible criminal activity regarding the upcoming election in
April in Cahokia, IL.

Information found indicate:

Curtis McCall Sr, Candidate for Mayor of Cahokia declined to answer any questions about [city council] board minutes being released and a conversation in executive (closed) session. McCall told the investigator to contact his attorney.

Mr. Jackson was interviewed in reference to an excutive session where a vote was taken, and certain comments during that executive session of the Cahokia city council (electoral board). Jackson stated that a St. Clair County deputy went to his residence and served a subpoena on him in regards to the meeting.

During this meeting, according to Jackson, an elections complaint was filed attacking the candidacy of Mayor McCall Jr. The meeting went into executive session to vote on whether to leave McCall’s name on the ballot. The vote was 2-1 in favor of leaving him on the ballot. One trustee indicated he was approached by McCall Sr, McCall Jr and Jackson outside of the meeting to persuade his vote in executive session.

A Mrs. Pearson was interviewed on the same subject. Similar answers as Jackson’s.

A telephonic interview was conducted with Curtis McCall Jr. and McCall asked that all questions be directed to attorney Sprague.

David Rands, Special Prosecutor with the Appellate Prosecutor’s Office reviewed the case.

Attempts were made by the Illinois State Police Investigator to contact David Rands. On December 2, 2015, Rands did not know a timeframe for a prosecutorial decision.

Calls on Dec 15th, 2015, Jan 6, Feb 16 and 29, April 14, May 10, July 5, 12, and 21Aug 26, Sep 6, Oct 12 and 25, Nov 28, Dec 6 and 21 of 2016, and January 6, 10, and 26 , and Feb 1and 9 of 2017 – no new information from Rands.

Finally, on Feb 22, two years after the initial investigation, a letter was received from Rands indicating he was declining to prosecute.

Two of the three board members present in this executive session
clearly stated a vote was taken during a closed meeting to leave McCall
Jr.’s name on the ballot. He is currently Cahokia’s Mayor.

We would like to note there is no exception in the Open Meetings Act to close a meeting in order to deliberate, discuss, or vote on an election ballot challenge. Doing so violates the OMA and can be charged as a Class C Misdemeanor.